Solving the data dilemma in higher education

When resources are tight and the pressure is high, good governance isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. In this episode, Thomas Brence connects with Tom Friesen, Data Governance Lead at Algonquin College, to explore how one person can create an outsized impact by focusing on sustainability, self-service, and alignment with institutional priorities.

Tom’s background in institutional research helped him identify a lack of trust in data as a major roadblock to decision-making—and how Collibra has enabled him to build processes that empower others to take ownership. From transforming policy governance to reducing review time and meetings, Tom proves that well-executed governance can save more than time—it can save strategy.

Three reasons you should listen to this episode:

1. Achieve measurable impact with minimal resources. Learn how one person implemented governance practices that saved two person-years of effort annually—by automating and simplifying policy review at scale.

2. Align data governance with institutional strategy. Tom shares how he prioritizes initiatives based on the goals of the organization, ensuring that governance supports efficiency, compliance, and smarter decision-making.

3. Prepare your data for AI readiness. As higher education institutions look toward AI, Tom explains why good governance is the foundation for ethical and effective adoption—and how poor data quality can derail your AI ambitions.

Resources

• Connect with Thomas
• Connect with Tom

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